Bipolar-electrode electrolyzer.



e. anfPunN. BIPOLAR ELEGTROD'E ELECTROLYZ'ER.Y

j APPLICATION FILED M JG.26, |916., Y d *A 1,213,871. Patented Jan. 30,1917.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Figi.

il! INI-.lh HIIIPIIFIIIIIII Il I IWW G. G.HEPBURN. -BIPOLAR ELECTHODE ELECTROLYZER. APPLICATION FILED AuG.26. 1916.

Ilaisernted Jan. 30, .1.917.

s SHEETS-SHEET 3.

GEURGE GRANT HEPBUBN, 0F CHORLTON-CUMHARDY, MANCHESTER, ENGLAND.

BIPOLAR-LECTRODE ELECTROLYZER. i

Application led August 26, 1916.

To allie/0m it n. concern.'

Be it known th' y BURN, doctor of philosophy, a subject of the KingofGl-eat Britain and Ireland, and

resident of 52 Newport road, Chorlton-cum Hardy, Manchester, in the county. of Lancaster, England, have invented certain new and-useful Improvements. in Bipolar-Electrode Electrolyzers, of which the following is a specification.4

y This invention relates to loi-polar electrode electrolyzers more especially intended for the electrolysis of the chlorids of the alkali metals. w

Herctofore bi-polar electrode'electrolyzers have usually been arranged with the electrodes inV n container comprising an open top vessel. The electrodes are held in position therein by firmly wedging them against l the side Valls of the container or by securing them in recesses in said side walls. lVith these arrangements, it is impossible to adjust the electrodes relatively to one another to compensate for wear without removing all the electrodes from the container and then replacing them in their new or adjustedr positions; Further, the aforesaid electrolyzers are uneconomical in the consumption of electric current; this may be increased by current leakage between electrodesof adjacent cells, or by matter in suspension in the electrolyte settling in the cells, restrictingy the flow of the electrolyte and also the area available for the passage.

of the electric current.

In cases in which thc-electrodes are supported-independentlyof any container, the spaces between the lelectrodes are completely closed in by insulation. cocks being provided for the inflow and outlow of the electrolyte.

. The electrodes with this arrangement are not capable of being brought very close togetherby reason of said inflow and outflow connections, and the difficulties arising from the accumulation ofy solid. matter between the electrodes are not avoided.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved arrangement of bipolar electrode electrolyzer which can be made oiany desired capacity without thev necessity for any containerA therefor, in which the losses due to current leakage and the objectionable features arising from the collection of sediment are obviated, and in which the electrodes can be readily approximated to one another as they wear and can Specification of Letters Patent.

I, Gnonon GRANT HEP.

vor troughs as at l) Patented J an. 30, 1917. Serial No. 117,043.

be used eliiciently when brought very closely' to one another.

My invention comprises the improved construction. and combination of parts as hcrcimiiter described and claimed.

Referring to thciaccompanying sheets of e.n\'planatory drawings: Figure 1 is an epd View oit' an clectrolyzer constructed in onev convenient form in accordance with my invention. section,` oi the electrolyzer shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side view showing an electrode. Fig. 4f. is an end view showing an end and an intermtuliatc electrode in position. Fig. 5 is a plan view of three electrodes forming part of an electrolyzeli. Fig. G is a sectional view showing a modified form of electrode. Fig. 7 is'a view similar to Fig. G but showing a further modified arrangement of elec'- trodc. Fig. 8 is a plan view similar to Fig. 5 but showing a modified arrangement of parts. Figs. t), l0, 11 and 12 are detail views of various n'i'odifications of the electrolyte outflow control means oi the cells. Figs. 13, 14, 15 and 16 detail views 'of 1nodifications to be hereinafter. referred to.

The electrodes A are provided with projecting lugs B which rest upon bolts Cby which thc electrodes are supported and which 4also serve in conjunction with the end pieces C1 gether. I may provide adjustable or com pressiblc distance pieces between the lugsv B so that the distance apart of the electrodes can be predetermined and varied to suit requirements. The upper part of cach electrode may be cut out asshown in Figs. 1 5, or in Fig. G, so as to foi-1n part of a trough in such a 'manner that when the electrodes bolts C, trougl'ls lil (see Fig. 5) extend along the breadth of the eleetrolyzer in the upper part thereof. Such troughs form the upper part of the individual cells and communicate freely with the spaces F between the electrodes and below the troughs. These spaces F constitute the lower part of the Fig. 2 is a front view, partly in` to clamp the electrodes toi sol cessed or grooved as at K for 'the reception and support of a non-conducting piece or pieces L which form the side walls of the cells. A convenient method of forming said side walls is byrunning molten paraliin wax into the spaces to be occupied by the side walls after temporary arrangements have `been made for its retention in the liquid state and until it solidifies. These side walls L also act as distance pieces keeping the electrodes apart and may in themselves be sullicient for this purpose. When the side walls are formed of a material such as paralin wax which becomes plastic under the influence of heat, it is evident that by circulating hot water through the electrolyzer until the said material becomes plastic, and then exerting a lateral pressure on the electrodes, as by means of the bolts C, a convenient and simple method is provided for approximating the electrodes to each other to compensate for wear of same. The overflow from the cells passe-s over the top of the side walls through the gaps M, see Fig. 4. The adjacent vertical faces of the electrodes at each end of the latter are cut away as shown at G (Fig. 5) so as to provide a channel down which electrolyte from the ends of the troughs'can flow. The faces of the electrodes thus form retaining walls for the overflow. The bottomslof the electrodes are also grooved at H to prevent the outflow from adjacent cells uniting along the bottom of the electrodes.

Instead of employing side walls as L between the electrodes.` I may, plan in Fig. 8, provide a length of indiarubber tubing, india-rubber cord or other suitable insulating substance L between the electrodes. Such tubing or the like may extend in a continuous length from end to end of the electrolyzer, being zig-zagged up and down between the electrodes. The bolts Cv (Figs.- 1 and Q1) will exertthe necessary pressure upon the said vsubstance to make a liquid tight ioint between the electrodes. Ihe said tubing or the like acts in the same manner as the side walls aforesaid, provision being made for'v the overflow of trolyte bv recessing the electrodes or in any other convenient 'mannen After bolting the electrodes A with their side walls L together by means of the bolts C, the electrolyzer may b e used in the form so far described bv feeding electrolyte into the troughs E. SuchA feeding may be accomplished by means as 'shown in Figs. 1 and 2 or in any other convenient manner. The electrolyte runs freely through the cells and out at the lower open end of same while the electric current is passing` the electrolyte being then pumped back again for refeeding into the troughs E. I may, how- `ever, 1f de slred reduce the amount of pumping requisite with my lmproved electrolyzer upper side as shown 1n side of the elecby restricting the rate of outflow from. the cells through the outlets N which extend from side wall to side wall of each cell. This may be accomplished by a movable tube, rod, bar, wedge or the like I of nonconducting material which may have a plain surface or be notched at frequent intervals transversely of its length or its length where it engages or almost engages the adjacent surface of the 'electrode which may be beveled as shown in Figa/i.,

The wedges P may be shaped and supported 4 as shown in Fig. l so that they can be readslotted along ily moved to regulate the rate 0f flow of electrolyte and also be moved clear of the cells for allowing ofthe discharge 'of sediment from the cells. It will be understood that with the arrangements' aforesaid, the electrolyte will descend substantially as a sheet in the lower part of the cells so that local heating arising from bad circulation will be avoided.

Instead of employing a solid bar, rod,

Awedge or the like as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 for restricting or regulating thee rate of outflow of electrolyte, I may employ a tube P* as shown in Fig. 9having apertures in its through which the` electrolyte passes from the cell to the interior of the tube and then discharges through the end of same. Or. the tube I" may have apertures in both its upper and lower sides as shown in Fig. 10. The tubes P* preferably make a good joint withy the 'contacting portions of the electrodes, india-rubber or other suitable packing strips" being employed if desired, In Some eases, I may cause each movable rod, bar, wedge-or the like P to close the bottom of its cell completely and provide a tube Px extendinginto the cell through the side walls as shown in Figs. 11

and 12 for the outflow of the electrolyte.

Bv providing the apertures in the undertube P1, blocking of the same by sediment is obviated. I may provide means for controlling the movement of the rods, tubes, or the like P and P* so that all the cells can be opened and closed in a ready manner. Such means may comprise a string or insulated wire or the like P, see Fig. 13, one arranged-at each side of the electrolyzer, passing over the lugs B of the electrodes and under the rods or the vlike P, the ends of the wire or the like being secured to the frame of the machine, or having weights as I thereon at one end for holding the electrodes at the bottom of the cells. By raising the weights P3, the rods or the like P will be allowed to descend clear of the electrodes.

Electrolyzers constructed in accordance with my invention are economical in operation and readily maintained in an efficient condition of service.

It will be obvious that with any of the arrangements shown in Figs. 9, l1 and 12. I may cause the electrolyte to enter the cell by the tube P4 or l1 and to travel up between the electrodes and overflow over the side walls L. Such tuhe lP4 or'P1 may be connertefl to a suitable souree ot electrolyte Q, by a flexible or other eonneetion R having a valve S thereon as shown diagrannnatieally in Fig. 14.

lVhen arranging for an upward tlow` ot' the electrolyte through the eells. f may dispense with the vtroughs IG before described and arrange for the overflow to take place from between the eleetrrules to gutters T in the tops ofE the eleetrodes, the electrolyte travelinf.` down the side `t'aees ol the eleotrodes through grooves (i. ln the Fig. 15 arrangement one gutter 'I` is provided for the 'overflow from adjoining eells. Snell gutter may be arranged to empty directly into the grooves (l so that there is no aeeumulation ol' eleelrolvte therein. Or. the

electrolyte may he allowed'to" :u'euumlate in the. gutter and overflow into the grooves or be drawn olf'. through an overflow pipe. ln the l"ig. lf3 arrangeuu-nt. two gutters are provided in eaeh elerrtrode.' lln all eases. the overflow from the eells. may he drawn ofi' ll'nough an overflow pipe or port instead ol flowing down the sides of the eleetrodes.

flaring now deseribed my inver1tion,wl1at I claim as new and desire to seeure by Tietters latentis:-

l. fn.hi-polar eleetrode eleetrolyzers. in eomhination. a plurality of electrodes spaeed at the requisite. distanf-e apart, the intervening sparesbeing open at top and bottom. means between the elertrodes forming side walls of the eells. means maintaining -a flow o" electrolyte through theI wells. and overflow means preventing flooding ol' the cells, as set forth. r

ln bi-polar eleetrode eleetrolyzers,` in eonibinalion. a plurality of electrodesspaced f' atthe requisite dislaur'e apart, means hetween the eleetrodes forming' side walls `of the eells. means forming a movable bottom `for eaeh eell. means maintaining a flow of elertrolyte through the eells. and overflow means n'eventing flooding of' the eells. as set forth. l

Il. fn lli-polar eleetrode eleel'rolyzer in eombination. a plurality of eleel rodes spared at adjustable rlistaneesl apart. means supv porting the eleelrodes and elampintr them together, `means between the electrodes forming side walls of the cells, means maintaining a flow of' electrolyte through the eells. and overflow means preventing flooding of the cells, as set forth.

4. ln biipolar electrode elmtrolyrlers. in

m1binatirm. a plurality ol' elr r:trmles spar-ed at ar'ljustable distances apart, means supporting theeleetrmles and r-lamping them together, means between the electrodes forming side walls of the cells, means maintaining allow 'of electrolyte through the cells, overflow means preventing flooding of the cells, and means preventing electrolyte from one cell uniting with that from an adjacent Cell, as setV forth.

5. In loi-polar `electrode electrolyzers, in combination1 a plurality of electrodes, means supporting the electrodes and clamping' them together, means between the electrodes form ing side walls of the cells, troughs'delivering electrolyte to the eells, and overflow means preventing floodingr of the cells, as setforth.

6. ln bi-polar electrode eleetrolyzers, in eon'1bination,a plurality between the eleetrodes forming side walls of the cells and spacing the electrodes apart, means supporting the electrodes and clamping i them together, means maintaining a flow ot' eleetrolyte through the 'Cells and overflow means preventingr flooding of the eells. as set forth.

T. ln .bi-polar electrode electrolyzers, lin eomhination, a plurality of electrodes. compressible means between the eleetrodes forming side walls ot' the cells and spaeingthe electrodes apart. means supporting` the eleetrodes and compressing the Compressible means aforesaid.means maintaining a flow of electrolyte through thefeells, and overflow means preventingflooding of the eells, as set forth. 1

ln b-polar eleetrode eleetrolyzers. in eombination. a plurality of eleetrodes, means between the eleelrodes forniing side walls of the eells and spaeing -the electrodes apart, meansl maintaining a flow ol. eleetrolyte through the eells. and overflow passages lin the rell walls preventing flooding of -the eells, as set forth.

S). Vfn bi-polar electrode eleetrolyzers. in

-eombin'afion. `a plurality 'of electrodes. oompressihle means between the electrodes forming side walls of the eells and sparing the electrodes apart, means supporting the electrodes and compressing the."4 eompressible means aforesaid. means maintainimf a flow ot' eleetrolyte. through the eells, overflow means preventing flooding of the eells,-and means Forming a movable bol-tom for each eell. as set forth.

lfl. ln hi-polar eleetrode 'ele\l.rolyze'rs, in ronihination. a plurality ol' elertrrules, eompressihle means between .the elertrodes forming-side walls ol the cells and sparing the eleetrodes aparf.- means supporting the eleetrodes and eompressing the eompressihle means aforesaid. -means maintaining a flow ol' eloelrolyte through the cells` overflow passages formed on the outer side of said minpressihle side wallsand between the eleotrodes. and means forming a /n'lovable bottom l'or eaifh cell, as set forth.

ll. In hi-polar eleetrode eleelrolvzers.I in combination, a plurality' ol' electrodes,

of electrodes. means' means supporting the electrodes, means between the electrodes forming the side walls of the cells, a trough at the upper part of each cell maintaining a downward iiow of electrolyte through the cell, and overflow means preventing iiooding of the cell, as set forth.

12. In hi-polar electrode electrolyzers, in combination, a plurality of electrodes', means supporting the electrodes, means between the electrodes vforming the side walls of the cells, a trough at the upper part of each cell maintaining;r a downward flow of electrolyte through the cell, overflow means preH venting flooding of the cells, and means formuleA a movable bottom ilor cach cell, as

forth.

13. In bi-polar electrode electrolyzers, in combination. a plmality of electrodes, com pressible means between the electrodes formingr side Walls of the cells and spacing the electrodes apart.,l means supporting the electrodes and compressing the eompressible means aforesaid, av trough at the upper part of each cell maintaining a downward flow of electrolyte through the cell, means forming a movable bottom for-each cell, and overflow' means preventing ooding of the cells, as set forth.

14. In bi-polar electrode electrolyzers, in combination, plurality of electrodes. means supporting the electrodes, means between the electrodes forming the side Walls of the cells, each electrode havingr a portion of at least one trough formed therein at its upper part, and overflow means preventing flooding of the cells, as set forth.

15. In bi-polar electrode electrolyzers, electrodes cut away to `form a portion of at least one trough, as set forth.

16. In bi-polar electrode electrolyzers, in combination, a plurality of electrodes spaced at adjustable distances apart, means supporting the electrodes and. clamping same together, means between. the electrodes forming the side Walls of the cells, each electrode having a portion of at least one electrcilyte trough formed therein at its upper part, and a groove therein on its bottom side, overflow means preventing iooding of the cells, and means fori'ning` a movable bottom for each cell, as set forth. I

17. In bi-polar electrode electrolyzers, in combination, a plurality of electrodes, having a portion oi" at least one trough formed in the upper part, and each having a groove .in its bottom side, and bein; r rabbeted and having ay groove at the ends of its vertical active face, comprcssible means extending between the vertical grooves in the electrodes 'forming the side walls ci the cells and spacing the electrodes apart, means supporting the electrodes and compressing said compressilrle means, an adjustable and removable bottom piece for each cell, the over How from each cell passing' over the side walls and between the rabbeted portions of the electrodes, as set forth.

18. In bi-polar electrode electrolyzers, iny

combination, a plurality of electrodes, means between the electrodes spacing the electrodes at the requisite distance apart and forming the side Walls oi the cells, means forming a movable bottom for each cell, means for actuating said movable bottoms simultav neousl'v. means -maintaining a flow oi elec trolyte through the cells, and overfiow means preventing flooding; of the cells, as set forthY In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' GEORGE GRANT HEPBUR-N.

Witnesses ARTHUR HUGHES,

MYRA CRown. 

